Agriculture Extension Service Employee
Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cumberland County
Salary Range: $32,930 - $37,877
Description: This position functions as the coordinator for the Rutgers Master Gardener Program of Cumberland County and is responsible for educational programming in horticulture for the residents of the County.
Duties: Develops educational programming for the public and other audiences such as Rutgers Master Gardeners, gardening clubs, and municipal environmental commissions, with topics covering gardening, home landscapes, environmental issues, and similar subjects. Community outreach to ensure all Cumberland County townships/municipalities and residents are aware of events, services, and programs available and are actively engaged. The duties and examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
Specific duties include:
• Coordinating the Rutgers Master Gardener program of Cumberland County through meetings, educational events, managing volunteers and their activities; record-keeping, and communicating program guidelines
• Planning and conducting educational programming to train new Rutgers Master Gardener volunteers (“Interns”) for preparation to become Certified Rutgers Master Gardeners
• Providing educational information through the creation and dissemination of newsletters, social media posts, short radio spots, PowerPoint lecture presentations, and other appropriate methods
• Collecting, summarizing, and presenting science-based information from credible sources such as books, university factsheets, university, and government websites
• Communicating with Rutgers Master Gardener coordinators in other counties and the statewide coordinator in New Brunswick (Rutgers main campus)
• Address questions from the public on home horticulture, received through phone calls, emails, and in-person visits; provide home horticulture diagnostic support in cooperation with Agricultural Agents
• Performing in-house analysis of soil samples for pH and soluble salts
• Assisting Agricultural Agents with educational programming and applied research
• Reports directly to Planning Director/Department Head; for Rutgers University related program activities, County Extension Department Head (CEDH) is the liaison.
Requirements: Associate degree in horticulture, agriculture, or related fields. At least two years’ experience in horticulture or agriculture preferred. Five years of relevant horticultural or agricultural experience may be substituted for the associate degree described above. Computer competency with Microsoft Office, social media, remote education platforms such as Zoom. Effective written and oral communication skills. Ability to manage volunteers and build educational programs. Ability to communicate science-based information to diverse audiences. Possession of a valid N.J. Driver’s License and evidence of insurance.
Hours: Typical work shifts are 8:30am–4:30pm, Monday through Friday. Occasional evening and weekend hours required. Full-time, 35 hours per week.
Note: Offers of employment for this title are contingent upon successful completion of physical fitness testing, to include drug screenings, and verifications of N.J. Driver’s License status.
Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to:
Cumberland County Department of Personnel
Resumes@cumberlandcountynj.gov
OR complete an application on-line and upload documents at: https://www.cumberlandcountynj.gov/jobs.
Open until filled.
The County of Cumberland offers a wide array of benefits for all full-time employees. Benefits include Retirement Programs, Medical/RX Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Supplemental Insurance options, Paid Leave, and Tuition Reimbursement. Specific benefits are subject to the provisions of County policy and the applicable collective bargaining agreement. Part-time employees are eligible for leave benefits as required by New Jersey law.
The County of Cumberland is an equal employment opportunity employer. We are committed to recruit and hire qualified individuals without discrimination and regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, breastfeeding, gender identity or expression, disability, liability for military service, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait and genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing).
Cumberland County employment is governed by the rules and regulations of the NJ Civil Service Commission.